Irritating flying ants and seagulls 'drunk' on their insect carcasses - yep, Flying Ant Day is almost upon us.

In fact, for some, the annual phenomenon may already have arrived and can actually last a few weeks.

The ants are currently busy making nests under the pavement, kicking up sand from between the slabs.

Here's everything you need to know:

What is Flying Ant Day?

Flying ants

Male and female ants will sprout wings and venture out of their nests, seeking ants from other colonies to mate with.

It's a giant ant party, in many respects, with millions enjoying their "nuptial flight".

It usually happens every summer, in June or July.

Why does it happen, though?

Experts say the nuptial flight is a crucial part of the insect's developments, allowing them to reproduce and spawn scores of other creatures.

During the flight, virgin queens mate with males and then land to start a new colony.

The large numbers of flying ants which appear in a short space of time increase the chance of reproduction.

What species are the ants?

If you're swatting away the little creatures from your white work shirt, you'll be interested to know the variety is known as the Lasius niger, or black garden ant.

Tell me more about them...

Their nests have a single queen and typically around 5,000 workers.

This figure can stretch to three times that number, though.

The ants you see over the course of the year will be mostly workers collecting food for their colony - and they are all female.

They survive for about a month, while the flying ants you see once a year are males and young queens.

Queens can live for over 10 years and spend most of their lives in their nest.

New queens, however, will leave to mate and found a colony of their own.

...and these drunk seagulls you speak of?

Those of us close to the coast should be on guard against crazy seagulls during Flying Ant Day. This is because it’s been reported seagulls have been “getting drunk” after feasting on flying ants.

Last year, scores of seagulls were seen congregating in Brighton across roads, caring little for the cars hurtling towards them. They were also spotted stomping the ground in parks hoping to tuck into their favourite snacks.

Dr Rebecca Nesbit, an entomologist with the Society of Biology, told the Mirror that the ants produce formic acid which can “stupefy” the gulls. She said the amount eaten could explain why gulls were not flying away from danger quickly.

When will it occur?

In some places it's happening now.

It is thought Flying Ant Day occurs when a spell of wet weather is followed closely by hot humid weather.

Queen ants take their cue from the weather to seek males to mate with.

How do I get rid of them?

You can do anything from spraying the ants with effective agents, to catching them with sticky tape or tin cans.

And shouldI get rid of them?

Perhaps not. They aerate soil, help to cycle nutrients, improve garden fertility and control pests.

Flying ants also provide a vital food resource for many species of birds, particularly swifts and gulls.